Evil Geniuses Summary

“What happened to the land of opportunity?” Kurt Andersen examines how nostalgia, economic ideology, and political strategy reshaped America, leaving a transformed nation in their wake.

1. America Has Become Stuck in Nostalgia and Stagnation

In the past, America was defined by innovation and a forward-looking spirit. The twentieth century was filled with transformative cultural eras—space exploration, rock and roll, and the civil rights movement pushed boundaries and created a vibrant modernity. However, by the late 1980s, this momentum slowed, and a sense of nostalgia began to dominate American culture.

Kurt Andersen identified this phenomenon in 2007 when he noticed how remarkably similar styles and trends from 1987 persisted into the 2000s. Unlike earlier decades, where each era was defined by markedly different cultural shifts, newer decades merely recycled the past. Fashion, music, and design all seemed locked in endless repetition of bygone styles under the guise of "retro."

This shift toward nostalgia wasn’t just cultural but reflected broader economic and political stagnation. While nostalgia made Americans comfortable with old memories, it left them hesitant to confront the problems of the present, such as mounting economic inequality and climate change.

Examples

• The rise of retro-styled movies like American Graffiti and TV shows such as Happy Days celebrated idealized past eras.
• Fashion in 2007 mirrored trends from 1987, exemplifying the halt in original cultural progress.
• Politically and economically, Americans became resistant to new policies and alternatives while clinging to old patterns.

2. Nostalgia Laid the Foundation for Right-Wing Economic Policies

When Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal set the stage for modernism and progressive reform, it represented care for American citizens’ welfare. Yet, by the 1970s, growing nostalgia for a mythic past softened the public's resistance to right-wing economic ideologies, culminating in Ronald Reagan's ascension in 1980.

Politicians like Barry Goldwater and later Reagan exploited Americans’ yearning for an idealized, stable past. Reagan used his Hollywood background to strengthen these sentiments, portraying his policies as a return to simpler, "better" times. By aligning nostalgia with conservative economic policies, he introduced tax cuts for the wealthy and rolled back numerous protections for workers and the environment.

Reagan's focus on an idyllic American "yesteryear" obscured his economic agenda, which primarily benefited corporate elites.

Examples

• Barry Goldwater's campaign juxtaposed conservative small-town nostalgia against tumultuous images of civil rights protests and youth culture in the 1960s.
• Reagan's campaign emphasized white-picket-fence nostalgia while avoiding outright mention of his pro-wealth, anti-labor policy changes.
• During Reagan's era, labor protections and environmental regulations were quietly rolled back in the name of "reclaiming America's past greatness."

3. Two Architects of Modern Conservatism: Milton Friedman and Lewis Powell

Economic conservative ideas regained traction largely thanks to Milton Friedman and Lewis Powell. Both men introduced doctrines that recalibrated American attitudes toward business and regulation, influencing policy for decades.

Friedman’s 1970 essay, “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits,” redefined corporate priorities. It dismissed any notion that businesses owed obligations to their workers or society beyond profit-making. CEOs embraced these ideas, and the blueprint for corporate greed and deregulation was laid.

Powell, concerned about the 1960s’ anti-business and progressive climate, proposed in 1971 a memo urging corporate America to fight back. He advocated for unprecedented spending on think tanks, media influence, and academic hires to push forward free-market ideologies. His plan birthed today’s pervasive lobbying culture.

Examples

• Friedman explicitly denounced corporate social responsibility, urging businesses to focus solely on profits.
• Powell's plan became a foundational document for groups like the Chamber of Commerce, promoting corporate interests in law-making.
• Reagan’s presidency embraced Friedman’s philosophy, embedding profit-first policies deeply into governance.

4. The Right Borrowed Liberal Tactics to Win Power

While conservatives framed themselves as protectors of tradition, they borrowed strategies from the liberals and radicals of the 1960s to appeal to the public. They nurtured individualism, mistrusted institutions, and reframed themselves as "rebels."

Taking a page from counterculture movements, conservatives pushed ultra-individualism, urging Americans to embrace wealth without guilt. They also capitalized on growing disenchantment with government post-Vietnam and Watergate, advocating for a roll-back of federal oversight in favor of personal freedoms.

The right’s clever repackaging of their cause as one of rebellion against "oppressive" government brought their economic policies to the forefront.

Examples

• Milton Friedman likened libertarian economics to the hippie ethic of individual freedom.
• Ronald Reagan’s mantra, “Government is the problem,” seized on liberal-era distrust of authority.
• The Federalist Society, created in 1982, fostered a conservative “underdog” image despite its elite corporate backing.

5. Liberal Complacency Enabled the Conservative Wave

As the right mapped its ascent, liberal complacency provided fertile ground for conservative victories. Many liberals mistook their successes, especially labor protections and social reforms, as permanent, leaving economic policies vulnerable.

In the 1980s, affluent liberals ironically embraced nostalgia in fashion, foods, and culture, unwittingly softening the resistance to Reagan's campaigns rooted in the same sentiment. Additionally, friction with unions over their lack of progressive support for women and minorities left liberals unwilling to defend this key foundation of worker power.

Liberal institutions also gave platforms to conservative thinkers, normalizing their arguments as they waited for opportunities.

Examples

• Liberals popularized "comfort food" and tongue-in-cheek nostalgia, paralleling broader cultural regression.
• Unions lost liberal support over perceptions of racism and sexism, leaving a weakened labor movement vulnerable under Reagan.
• The New York Times hired conservatives, such as Richard Nixon’s former speechwriter William Safire, signaling acceptance of right-wing narratives.

6. Deregulation and Quiet Changes of the 1980s Reshaped America

During the 1980s, many transformations occurred through quiet actions rather than headline-grabbing reforms. The Reagan administration strategically ignored regulatory updates, which subtly but effectively tipped the scales toward corporate power.

This era normalized the dismissal of worker protections and tax loopholes for the rich. By appointing conservative judges and laying the groundwork for organizations like the Federalist Society, right-wingers institutionalized their ideology in law.

These shifts seeped into society subtly at first but left lasting impacts on wealth distribution, worker rights, and corporate dominance.

Examples

• Labor law violations were often ignored under Reagan, diminishing worker protections.
• CEOs began rewarding themselves with stocks due to favorable changes in tax laws.
• The Federalist Society established a conservative legal pipeline, influencing Supreme Court decisions for decades.

7. Financialization Transformed America Into a Gambler’s Economy

Reagan’s policies weren’t just about cutting red tape—they ushered in financialization, turning the U.S. economy into one focused less on production and more on speculation. Lower capital gains taxes made stock markets a lucrative playground, while individual Americans were encouraged to take on debt.

Businesses, prioritizing short-term shareholder value, became more disconnected from long-term innovation. This speculative economy widened inequality as savvy investors thrived while countless Americans struggled under mounting debt.

Examples

• Capital gains tax cuts in the 1980s made speculative investing highly attractive.
• High-risk derivatives disconnected Wall Street activity from tangible business investments.
• Deregulation enabled credit card companies to prey on vulnerable working-class families.

8. The Road Ahead: Automation and Threats of Inequality

Andersen writes that America is at a crossroads. If current trends continue, unchecked corporate greed and automation could render vast segments of the population economically obsolete. However, automation also presents a chance for liberation if properly managed.

By introducing a universal basic income, America could secure livelihoods amidst technological upheaval.

Examples

• Amazon and Walmart warehouses increasingly rely on automation.
• Alaska's oil dividend offers a blueprint for state-wide income programs.
• Universal basic income trials suggest it improves child welfare and reduces impoverishment.

9. America’s Future Hinges on a Choice Between Progress or Decline

The U.S. faces two possible futures. Continuing down its current path leads to greater inequality, leaving corporations omnipotent and citizens disempowered. Alternatively, the nation can embrace reforms that create fairness and opportunity.

Returning to progressivism—inspired by the ambition of the New Deal—could reverse decades of decline.

Examples

• Past precedent shows progressive policies reduced inequality, like Roosevelt's transformations post-Great Depression.
• Wealth redistribution through taxation and welfare strengthened other democracies, like in Scandinavia.
• Universal basic income could create a model for equitable wealth distribution tied to automation profits.

Takeaways

1. Reassess the nostalgic glorification of the past to build a forward-looking society capable of confronting modern problems.
2. Demand transparency and accountability in lobbying efforts to reduce undue influence by corporations on political decision-making.
3. Explore policies such as universal basic income and tax reforms to manage inequality exacerbated by automation and financialization.